Wobble basket washing machine



March 23, 1948. J. A. EAsTEs 2,438,273

WOBBLE BASKET WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z/ vvf/VTo/P, l Ames f4. Eures,

` March 23, 1948. J. A. E Ases WOBBLE BASKET WASHING MACHINE Filed Aug. 29, 1945 s sheets-shea; 2

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H5-'Tamm x Patented Mar. 23, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WOBBLE BASKET WASHING MACHINE James A. Eastes, Mount Comfort, Ind. Application August 29, 1945, Serial No. 613,312 11 Claims. (Cl. 68-152) This' invention relates to a washing machine wherein a basket is oscillated vertically and progressively around its entire circumference without rotation of the basket itself to the end that material to be washed is held Within the basket to be sloshed up and down within a washing solution provided in a tub within which the basket is carried.

The invention further embodies the unique and simple mounting and driving of the basket all as herein shown and described, and the advantages of which will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through a structure embodying the invention;

y Fig. 2, a detail in section on an enlarged scale ofl a modified basket orifice;

Fig. 3, a horizontal transverse section on the' line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. fi, a detail on an enlarged scale in side elevation and partial section of the basket mounting and drive head;

Fig. 5, a top plan view of the drive head; and

Fig. 6, a bottom plan view of the basket.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts' throughout the several views in the drawings.

I provide a tub iu with a conical floor Il and preferably with an outwardly flaring side wall I2, whereby the general shape of the tub is lnverted frusto-conical with an opening i3 at the top end. The tub It is supported in any suitable manner, herein shown as by means of legs I3.

'A basket generali-y designated by the numeral I5 is provided with perforate side and bottom walls so designed as to effectively retain clothes within the basket and yet permit free ingress and egress of water. Referring to Fig. 1, the basket I5 is provided with a cylindrical side wall i6 and a flat floor I1. In place of .the simple perforations I8 shown in these two members, the floor l1 may be provided with a flange |9, about each perforation I8, Fig. 2, extending below the floor I1 as an integral part thereof to serve as an inverted funnel to induce ow of water up therethrough under a jet action when the tub floor is forcibly carried downwardly through a body of water.

The central portion of the floor I1, in the form herein shown, is'pressed upwardly to form i seat 20,within which is slidingly received the upper portion of the ball 2|. yThis ball. 2| is rockably maintained in the seat 20 by means of a plate 22 which is brought up from the under side of the ball 2| and secured to the floor I1 in any suitable manner, such as by the cap screws 23. This plate 22 has a central opening therethrough around the margin of which is an arcuate flange 2d which bears against the ball 2| below its diametrical plane. From the under side of the ball 2| extends downwardly a stem 25 to have a shoulder 26 therearound serving as a thrust bearing against the bearing block 21 that is secured to the floor |I of the tub bythe bolts 28. The stem 25, by a reduced diameter portion extends downwardly through the bearing block 21 with a running fit and through the packing nut 29 to engage in a suitable coupling 30 in turn driven `by a shaft 3| extending from the gear housing 32 of a driving motor'33.

The ball 2| is provided with a slot 3B within which a rocker arm 35 may be raised and lowered. This rocker arm 35 is pivotally connected with the ball 2| by any suitable means, such as by a pin 36 extending through the ball 2| and through the inner end of the arm 35. The arm 35 extends outwardly through the slot 35 from its pivot pin 36 to have an end 31 extending a distance beyond the surface of the ball 2|. In order to control the rocking of the arm 35, a shaft 38 ls extended down through the slot 34 to screw threadedly pass through a collar 39 and to terminate by a ball end @il that is rockably maintained in a seat :3| provided at the bottom of the slot 313. The clamp plate i2 is provided to fit over the upper side of the ball 40 to retain it against displacement. Thus, the shaft 38 is free to be not only rotated about its own axis, but it may swivel in relation to the ball- 2| within the confines of the slot 36.

The collar 39, in the form herein shown, is located within a slot i3 in the arm 35. The exterior of the collar 39 is provided with parallel faces bearing against the sides of the slot 43 to prevent rotation of the collar 39 within that slot. Means are provided to interconnect the arm 35 with the collar 39 whereby relative travel of the collar 39 along the shaft 38 will accordingly rock the arm 35 and retain it in any rocked position. In the present form of the invention, such means consist of a pair of pins 44 and 45 extendingP oppositely from the collar 39, fixed thereto, slidingly entering within slots 46 and 41 provided through the sides of the arm 35 and opening into the vertical slot 43. This permits the shaft 38 to rock in a plane longitudinally of the arm 35, which rocking is imperative due to the fact that 4bring the basket l5 the centers of the mounting of the shaft 38 and suitable operating head 43. Thus by turning the head 43, ythe arm 35 may be rocked upwardly to from its full inclined position, Fig. 1, to a horizontal position. The horizontal position is preferably had when the basket I is to be loaded, with clothes, following which the shaft 38 may be turned to tilt the basket I5 back down to the position as shown.

The plate 22, Fig. 6, is provided with a gear 50 therearound having teeth which will mesh with the gear 5I secured on the top side of the floor II of the tub. That is, when the basket I5 is tilted to the position shown in Fig. 1, the gear 5I) is in mesh with the gear 5I in thenature of meshing bevel gears. i

Preferably, a perforate cover 52 is provided across the entire top of the basket I5 and secured by any means, such 'as vthe clamp 53 which is essentially a c-shaped arm shifted on. the pin 54 on the cover 52 to have a'lower portion thereof enter through one of the holes I8 adjacent the top of the wall side of the cover having a .pin 55 likewise entering one of the holes I6. The under side of the floor I1 is provided with arcuate ribs 56. Likewise the upper side of the oor Il is provided with arcuate ribs 51. The ribs 56 and 51 vare so curved and directed as to serve to induce a current of water from the outside of the tub I2 to the inner portion thereof. Also facilitatin'g in the agitation and setting up of currents Within the tub I2 are tub side wall ribs 58 inclined in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

In operation, there may be a cover provided for the tub opening I3, but in any event, the washing solution is placed within the tub I2 and the material to be washed is placed Within the basket I5 in a' rather loosely arranged manner and the cover 52 secured over the basket. The shaft 38 is provided with aloosely carried plate 59 which drops by gravity down over the opening through the seat 28 which is provided for the shaft 38 to extendy therethrough and on up through the basket and out through the cover 52. The shaft 38 will remain substantially perpendicular to the floor I1 of the Ibasket I5. With the basket I5 loaded, the motor 33 lwhich may be a variable speed motor, or which may have `diiferent speed ratios in the gear housing4 32 (not shown) is set in operation to revolve the ball 2| through the connecting shafts 25 and 3|.

' thatV precise form beyond I6, the opposite Since the arm end 31 is slidingly engaged Within the groove 48, this end 31 may travel oompletely therearound continuously from the drive of the motor 33. Since the gears 50 and 5I are intermeshed, the basket I5 will not revolve but will remain stationary as to its central vertical axis in respect to any rotation thereabout.- .How-

ever. as the arm end 31 travels around the groove 48, the basket I5 will be continuously and progressively tipped around the entire 360 thereof as the teeth of the gears 50 and 5I progressively intermesh but retain the basket I5 against rotation. The resultant eect is that the basket I5 is simply wobbled around on the Iball 2I to have one side (left hand side in Fig. 1) elevated whereby waterris carried in and out through the basket I5. The speed pf this actiori is controlled by the speed of driving the shaft 25, and as heretofore indicated, this maybe varied through any of the well knownV instrumentalities not forming a part of the present invention. When the washing operation -is considered to be sufficient, the motor 33 is stopped, and the operating head 49 is turned to bring the basket I5 back up to the horizontal position, whereupon the basket cover 52 may be removed through the tub opening I3 and thewashed material lifted from the basket. The packing nut 21 may carry suitable packing 53 compressibly around the shaft 2.5 so as to prevent any leakage of water around the shaft 25 from the tub I2. 'I'he tub I2 -may be drained in any suitable manner, such While I'have 'herein shown and described my invention in the one Iparticular form, it is obvious that structural variations may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not desire to be limited to the limitations as may 'be imposed by the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a washing machine having a tub and-a perforate basket therein, means for wobbling the basket comprising a central basket support ball on which the basket may universally pivot; said basket having an annular member therearound; a member extending from said support slidingly engaging said annular member; gear means intermeshing between said tub and said basket restraining the basket against circumferential travel; and means for revolving said support to carry said engaging member therewith; said extending member and said annular member being disposed and interengaged tofhold the axis of the basket at an angle to the axis of revolution of said ball to progressively tilt said basket in relation to said tub.

2. In a. washing machine having a tub and a perforate basket therein, means for wobblng the basket' comprising a'central basket support ball on which the basket may universally pivot:

member being disposed and interengaged to hold the axis of the `basket at an angle to the axis of vrevolution of said ball to progressively tilt said basket in relation to said tub; and means for shifting said engaging member in a vertical plane to shift said basket from horizontal to in- 3. In a washing machine a perforate basket therein, means for wobbling the basket comprising a central basket support on which the basket may universally pivot; said basket having an annular member therearound: a member extending from said support slidingly engaging said annular member; means intermeshing between ,said tub and said basket restraining the basket against circumferential travel: and means f or revolving said support Iwhile the other4 side is in close' as through a pet cock.l

said engaging member there-v with; said extending member and said annular having a tub and l `rotatively supported to carry said engaging member therewith; said extending member and said annular member being relatively disposed and interengaged to tilt the axis of said basket from the axis of revolution of said support to progressively tilt said bas- 'ket in relation to said tub; said basket support perforate basket therein, means for wobbling the basket comprising a central basket support ball on which the basket may universally pivot; said basket having an annular member therearound; a member extendingfrom said support slidingly engaging said annular member; gear means intermeshing between said tub and said basket restraining the basket against circumferential travel; and means for revolving said support to carry said engaging member therewith; said extending member and said annular member being disposed and interengaged to hold the axis of the basket at an angle tothe axis of revolution of said ball to progressively tilt said basket in relation to said tub; and means displacement; said ball .havingangular position with said for shifting said engaging member in a vertical planeta shift said basket from horizontal to inclined positions; said rocking means consisting of a shaft carried by said support; threaded means engaged by said shaft and also engaging said member which engages the annular member.

5. Means for wobbling a member in the absence ofy rotation thereof comprising a relatively fixed member under the wobble member; a ball by the fixed member; means vfor universally rockably retaining the wobble member on said ball; an annular member carried by said wobble member adjacent said ball; a member carried by said ball fixed against lateral travel `relative to the ball and slidingly engaging said annular member; means for rotating the ball about an axis diametrically therethrough; said slidingly engagingvmembe'r being inclined to said axis to effect the wobbling action.

6. Means for wobbling a member in the absence .of rotation thereof comprising a relatively fixed member under the wobble member; a ball rotatively supported by the fixed member; means for universally rockably retaining the wobble member on said ball; an annular member carried by said wobble member adjacent said ball; a member carried by said ball fixed against lateral travel relative to the ball and slidingly engaging said annular member; means for rotating the ball about an axis diametrically therethrough; said slidingly engaging member being inclined to said axis to effect they wobbling action; and intermeshing means carried by said wobble an-d fixed members whereby teeth on one mesh with abutments on the other to hold the wobble member against circumferential travel.

'1. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub and a separate basket therein, of a shaft vertically disposed centrally ofthe tub; a bali on the upper end of the shaft supporting said basket; means universally rockably retaining the basket on said ball; a member extending from the ball and tilted from the axis of rotation of said bail; annular means carried by said basket centered about said ball; and means rotating the ball about the axis of said shaft to revolve said extending member; said annular means comprising a track; and said extending member bearing on said track to tilt the basket to have its axis inclined from the axis of rotation of said ball.

,8. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub and a separate basket therein, of a shaft vertically disposed centrally of the tub; a bali on the upper end of the shaft supporting said basket; means universally rockably retaining the basket on said ball; a member extending from the ball; annular means carried by said basket centered about said bali and slidingly receiving said ball extending member to x the position of rocking of the basket over said ball; and means rotating the ball about the axisI of said shaft to revolve said extending member; and means for placing said extending member at an said annular means in a plane non-perpendicular to said axis and progressively tilt said basket within said tub. i

9. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub and a separatebasket therein, of a shaft vertically disposed centrally of the tub; a ball on the upper end of the shaft supporting said basket; means universally rockably retaining the basket on said ball; a member extending from the ball; annular means carried by said basket centered about said ball and slidingly receiving said ball extending member to fix the position of rocking of the basket over said ball; and means rotating the ball about the axis of said shaft to revolve ball on the upper end of the shaft supporting said extending member; and means for placing said extending member at an angular position with said shaft axis to place said annular means in a plane non-perpendicular to said axis and progressively tilt said basket within said tub; gear means carried by said basket and complementary gear means carried by said tub intermeshing one with the other in said basket tilted position, whereby the basket is held against bodily rotation.

10. In a. washing machine, the combination with a. tub and a. separate basket therein, of a shaft vertically disposed centrally of the tub; a ball on the upper end of the shaft supporting said basket: means universally rockably retaining the basket on said ball; a member extending from the ball and tion of said ball at a position longitudinally of the axis of said shaft to place said basket in a tilted position in respect to said axis; annular means carried by said basket centered. about said ball 'and slidingly receiving said ball extending member to fix the position of rocking of the basket over said ball; and means rotatingthe ball about the axis of said shaft to revolve said extending member; sald tub having a conical door with said ball at the apex thereof, and said basket having a substantially planar floor.

11. In a washing machine the combination with a tub and a separate basket therein, of a shaft vertically disposed centrally of the tub; a

said basket; means universally rockably retaining the basket on said ball; a member extending from the ball and tilted from a horizontal plane through said ball; annular means carried by said basket centered about said ball and slidingly receiving said ball extending member to fix the position of rocking of the basket over said ball; and

means rotating the ball about the axis of said shaft to revolve said extending member; saidy tub having a conical floor with said ball at the apex thereof, and said basket having a substantially shaft axis to place tilted from the axis of rota-- le of this patent:

, 7 8. planar oor; and ribs around the side and oor UNITED STATES PATENTS of said tub arranged in positions and shapes to cooperate with the mung of ma basket zo induce Nlugge'ls Altgtage Decnfggz currents of the washing uid toward the center 2056088 Berry "Sept: 29 1936 9 l a f the wb r Mms 'A mms 5 2,145,453 Miner Jan. s1, 1939 2,206,871 Y Berry 1.-- July 9, 1940 2,265,516 Chayie Dec. 9 1941 REFERENCES CITED. 2,294,281 chadbopme Aug.25f'1942 The following references are of record in the lo 

